Professor Ya-Ru Chen Wins Top Chinese Award and Research Grant

Chen will conduct large-scale research projects, develop young Chinese scholars and, and enhance Johnson’s reputation and connections with partner schools in China

May 13, 2014

Ya-Ru Chen, Nicholas H. Noyes Professor of Management and academic director of China initiatives, won a prestigious 2014 National Talent Award in management from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China. This award is designed to draw the best global talent in a specific area, those who will lead breakthroughs and drive the development of new talents and new knowledge in a given domain in China. Past recipients of this award include Jeffrey Lehman, former president at Cornell, and experts in a wide variety of areas, such as aerospace, life sciences, finance, and agriculture.

Chen’s award incudes a five-year research grant to study and provide recommendations for addressing growing labor-management disputes in China and the leadership challenges of Chinese firms, as they go global.

“After miraculous economic growth over three decades, China has obtained a new position in the world market; as a result, Chinese companies face new opportunities as well as new challenges,” Chen said. “The research grant is not centered on education programming, but rather is aimed at supporting study of the vital management and leadership issues confronting Chinese firms and leaders in their domestic and international environments”.

Chen was nominated for this National Talent Award by Nanjing University. Johnson has enjoyed a 10-year partnership with Nanjing Business School, which sends its executive MBA students to the Cornell University campus for a general leadership program each year. The program has grown and flourished under Chen’s leadership.

Chen will use this significant research fund to conduct large-scale research projects, develop a group of young Chinese scholars and doctoral students, and enhance Johnson’s reputation and connections with partner schools in China.